Hi , your Nokia journey is really inspiring for every student. Could you please explain the process or steps you done

Thank you for asking this reflective question. I can share 7 pointers with you which have helped me immensely in my career and journey at Nokia:


1) Keep yourself open to diverse experiences:

While as a co-op in 2015 where my role was two-fold while working in the Wireless Lab Team. One as a support specialist and the other as a developer utilizing my web development skills to refactor a lab database project. Along with it, I was open to learning and trying new things which I always used to express to my mentor and manager. This led to opportunities to try out security testing, hands-on experience with virtual machines using VMWare, analyze network traffic and more.


2) Volunteer in meaningful initiatives:

Starting from my first co-op term, I was motivated to contribute to the community and volunteered at Nokia's Inside Ride and Car Show to raise funds to help families with kids who were struggling with cancer. This allowed me to find meaningful connections, who are not just professional connections, but to whom I could connect and talk about the issues I care about. Till today, I have always driven with meaningful volunteering initiatives and have been volunteering as Marketing Co-Lead of StrongHer Canada (a volunteer-run employee resource group at Nokia).


3) Know more about the company:

As a co-op, I always was curious about what team does what. Which other products are being developed? How do we come together to build all these products as one vision called Nokia? These questions encouraged me to learn about various teams and products to find where my interests align to make the best utilization of my skills.


4) Put yourself out when it is time to find a job:

During my second co-op term, my manager came to me and told me that he would love to hire me but there's no open position yet. However, he encouraged me to connect to other hiring managers and find a job. He empowered me that my skills matter and that there will be a job for me. Having that encouragement, I connected to other hiring managers and shared more about my skills, projects and experience. All these efforts collectively helped me land a full-time position.


5) Step up for new projects and initiatives:

The first year is the foundational year, where you are learning a lot, and trying to do a lot. Do that with patience. It helped me a lot to learn and pace myself in the first year. Then from the second year onwards, I stepped up to participate in projects, doing independent research and comparative analysis, and sharing findings with the team. All this led me to work on various interesting projects over the last 8+ years.


6) Upskill and learn on your own:

As part of your work as a co-op or even full-time employee, you will be learning a lot. However, try to learn something that may not be part of your work now, but can be utilized going forward. Maybe such learning can become the stepping stone to your next career move too!


7) Reflect, reflect and reflect:

An often overlooked part, but it is essential to reflect on your projects - to get to the next level (which can be better efficiency, time management, improved testing, or anything that you see is your next level to be at). Lastly and most importantly, regarding your career goals, reflect every year - at least once. It will help you to keep work experience, upskilling and learning goals aligned with your vision for your career.

Hoping these tips will help you carve your unique career journey as well. All the best :)